An engaged citizenry yields a pension fix

Within weeks, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo will present the General Assembly with legislation to reform the state’s pension system, a fix that will need to be immediate, complete and sustainable.

An engaged citizenry yields a pension fix

Posted:
Saturday, October 1, 2011 12:01 am

Within weeks, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo will present the General Assembly with legislation to reform the state’s pension system, a fix that will need to be immediate, complete and sustainable.

Already, opponents of reform have gathered, and the legislature will undoubtedly come under great pressure to change as little as possible in the system and somehow enact legislation that is only window dressing.

Into this brewing fray comes an organization called Engage Rhode Island. Formed as a nonprofit to advocate for the pension reform the state needs, its leadership is filled with leaders from the business and social-service communities, who see clearly that a lack of true reform will sap resources from the state that could go toward economic development as well as social welfare.

Engage Rhode Island is committed to education and advocacy, a worthy mission that should help legislators make good decisions on this all-important topic. What this group needs is for citizens themselves to engage for the reform we need. •

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